Welcome bubbles
Chilled champagne and a luxury welcome bite on boarding.
All experiences
Rehearsal Dinner
4,9from couples who married with us
The evening before the big day · 6 to 40 guests · an intimate dinner on board
A Rehearsal Dinner on Board
The first evening of the celebration, already on the water.
The day before the wedding, or a month before, you bring the most important people together. Families truly meeting for the first time, friends offering an early toast, and the two of you, quietly still in the eye of the storm. A rehearsal dinner on board is more intimate than a restaurant and more personal than a hall.
6 to 40 guests Recommended: 3 to 4 hours including dinner
A private three- to four-hour cruise for 6 to 40 guests, with a seated dinner at long linen tables, welcome bubbles and a route through the canals or across the IJ. The perfect prelude to your wedding day.
The experience
What does a wedding day on the water feel like?
A wedding doesn't begin on the wedding day itself. It begins the evening before, when both families sit down together for the first time and the friends who made the journey meet one another.
We stage that evening on board a classic saloon boat. Long tables, ivory linen, taper candles, a menu that already sets the tone for the big day. The skipper follows a quiet route, the host or hostess keeps the wine flowing, and all you have to do is sit down at the table.
Between courses: speeches that can be more informal, photographs that needn't be perfect, and the feeling that the wedding has already begun, without the pressure of the day itself.
By the time you arrive, the families have found one another, the nerves have settled, and everyone shares a first story together. That is the real beginning.
Plan the rehearsal dinnerHighlights
Which moments define the day?
- 01An intimate dining experience for both families and closest friends
- 02Long linen tables and candlelight in the wooden saloon
- 03A chef-composed menu that already sets the tone for the wedding
- 04Fully private, the ship exclusively for your party
- 05Room to share speeches, photographs and gifts early
- 06The perfect prelude to the wedding itself
The rhythm
How does the day unfold, hour by hour?
- 01Reception
Bubbles at the quay
Guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne and a luxury welcome bite before boarding.
- 02Departure
Sailing into the canals
The boat follows a quiet route through the UNESCO canal ring or across the IJ, depending on your preference.
- 03Dinner
At the table
A chef-composed two- to four-course menu, served at the long linen table.
- 04Toast
The first speeches
Informal toasts, a shared toasting moment and room to connect.
- 05The return
Coffee and a digestif
The city drifts past as the evening winds down quietly towards the quay.
Included
What is included?
Everything listed below is part of the arrangement: one planner, one contract, one price. We take care of every part of the day, from the first champagne to the last lantern.
- A classic saloon boat exclusively for your party
- A professional skipper, host or hostess and wedding coordinator
- Welcome bubbles and a luxury welcome bite
- A seated dinner at a long linen table, chef-composed
- Table styling with candlelight and ivory flowers
- Coordination of boarding and disembarkation locations
Food & drink
What will your guests eat and drink on board?
A fully catered menu on board, composed with our trusted culinary partners and tailored to your season, guest list and dietary wishes.
Seated dinner
A two- to four-course chef's menu, matched to the season.
Wine pairing
Matching wines with each course, served by the host or hostess.
Coffee and digestif
Cognac, liqueurs and petit fours during the return journey.
Decoration
How is the ship styled?
- Long linen tables with taper candles and ivory flowers
- Handwritten menus and place cards
- Antique brass candelabra
- Optional: personalised place cards for each guest
Entertainment
What music and entertainment are possible?
- Background music on board
- Optional: an acoustic guitarist or pianist during dinner
- Optional: a short speech set led by an experienced toastmaster
Photography
How is the day captured?
- Optional: a photographer on board for informal group photographs
- Table and atmosphere shots by candlelight
- A group portrait at the long table
The ship
Which ship hosts the wedding?
One of our own ships, chartered exclusively for a single wedding. We speak of these ships as venues, not transport.
Classic Saloon Boat
Covered saloon · up to 60 guests
Classic Sloop
Open sloop · ideal for a first encounter or guest transfer
Optional upgrades
What can you add separately?
Photographer and videographer
Professional documentation of the evening, including a short atmosphere film.
Extending to 4 hours
More time for speeches, connection and a slower journey back.
A signature cocktail
A bespoke cocktail for the evening, named after the couple.
A floral wall or installation
A larger floral installation on board for an extra festive entrance.
Frequently asked questions
What do couples ask us most often?
From an official ceremony on board to dietary wishes, sound, accessibility and changes in guest numbers, speak directly with our planner for any other questions.
+31 20 624 76 35When is the best time for the rehearsal dinner?
The evening before the wedding is most common, but a month beforehand also works well, particularly when many guests are travelling from afar.
Can we trial the wedding menu here?
Yes, this is an excellent moment to experience the menu, wines and service. The chef can serve the same menu planned for the wedding day.
Is there room for speeches?
Absolutely. The informal atmosphere is ideal for the first speeches from parents and witnesses.
What if it rains?
The saloon boat is fully covered and heated. Bad weather only makes the dinner in the wooden saloon more intimate.
Can we exchange gifts on board?
Yes, there's room for a gift table and we help store gifts safely during the sail.
How many months in advance should we book?
For a rehearsal dinner we recommend booking 3 to 6 months ahead, especially in season.
Can we choose the route ourselves?
Yes, we tailor the route to your preference: the canal ring, the Amstel or a loop across the IJ.
Is there a minimum number of guests?
Yes, this arrangement is available from 6 guests. The saloon boat has room for up to 40 guests at long tables.
Availability
How far in advance should you book?
Peak Saturdays from May to September are typically booked twelve to eighteen months in advance. We accept a limited number of weddings per season.
Related experiences
view allProposalAn Intimate Proposal Among Loved Ones
From € 10.000 · complete arrangement · 4 to 25 guests · lunch or dinner included
view experience
Complete WeddingA Complete Wedding on a Saloon Boat
From € 10.000 · complete wedding · up to 60 guests · 8 hours
view experience
TransferA Standalone Boat Within an Existing Day
From € 10.000 · complete arrangement · up to 60 guests on board · 2 hours
view experience